Ongoing reform in education the real answer

Published: Saturday, July 14, 2001 at 6:01 a.m.

Last Modified: Friday, July 13, 2001 at 11:00 p.m.

Louisiana has a shortage of teachers. It's obvious we need to recruit college graduates into our school systems' classrooms, but can we also entice some former teachers to return?

That's exactly what a legislative measure is designed to do -- lure retired teachers back into the school system. The idea has some merit if it is set up properly and used sparingly.

The measure, which awaits Gov. Mike Foster's signature, would allow teachers who have been retired for a year or more to earn both a normal salary and retirement benefits if they return to the classroom.

That could help fill vacant teaching positions with qualified personnel. If this measure is pursued, though, there should be some qualifier to ensure that quality teachers are returning to the classroom, not just former teachers with dollar signs in their eyes.

The proposed measure could be rather costly and should be viewed only as a stopgap measure and not a solution. One question about the proposition concerns the pay rate these teachers coming out of retirement would be assigned. Would it be the rate for teachers just entering the profession or would it equal the teachers' previous pay rate? Given the difficulty our state leaders recently had obtaining a raise for our teachers, it doesn't seem fiscally responsible to pay teachers double for too long a period of time.

In Louisiana, we need to make teaching not only an attractive profession but one with staying power. Increasing teacher salaries will help attract potential teachers to Louisiana's school systems, but it won't necessarily address the frustration level.

In order to reduce the burnout rate, teachers must feel that they have administration's support in discipline and instructional matters, the funding to make classroom instruction fun and interesting, as well as parental support in regard to disciplinary matters. Teachers who are not given the tools needed to educate young minds or the respect deserved from students, parents and administrators have little chance of success. Recruiting into school systems with such reputations will always be difficult.

Gone are the days when teachers - by nature of the very title - commanded respect. They must be given that back. Our society has become one where many parents incontrovertibly defend their children without exploring the problem. Maybe the teacher was unfair; maybe the teacher's behavior was justified. At the very least, parents should withhold judgment until the facts are sorted out.

The bottom line is that education must become a priority to our state and local leaders, as well as among parents. With everyone working toward the same goal, our education system should become a better place for students to learn and teachers to work. And that will benefit us all.

<p>Louisiana has a shortage of teachers. It's obvious we need to recruit college graduates into our school systems' classrooms, but can we also entice some former teachers to return?</p><!-- Nothing to do. The paragraph has already been output --><p>That's exactly what a legislative measure is designed to do -- lure retired teachers back into the school system. The idea has some merit if it is set up properly and used sparingly.</p><p>The measure, which awaits Gov. Mike Foster's signature, would allow teachers who have been retired for a year or more to earn both a normal salary and retirement benefits if they return to the classroom.</p><p>That could help fill vacant teaching positions with qualified personnel. If this measure is pursued, though, there should be some qualifier to ensure that quality teachers are returning to the classroom, not just former teachers with dollar signs in their eyes.</p><p>The proposed measure could be rather costly and should be viewed only as a stopgap measure and not a solution. One question about the proposition concerns the pay rate these teachers coming out of retirement would be assigned. Would it be the rate for teachers just entering the profession or would it equal the teachers' previous pay rate? Given the difficulty our state leaders recently had obtaining a raise for our teachers, it doesn't seem fiscally responsible to pay teachers double for too long a period of time.</p><p>In Louisiana, we need to make teaching not only an attractive profession but one with staying power. Increasing teacher salaries will help attract potential teachers to Louisiana's school systems, but it won't necessarily address the frustration level.</p><p>In order to reduce the burnout rate, teachers must feel that they have administration's support in discipline and instructional matters, the funding to make classroom instruction fun and interesting, as well as parental support in regard to disciplinary matters. Teachers who are not given the tools needed to educate young minds or the respect deserved from students, parents and administrators have little chance of success. Recruiting into school systems with such reputations will always be difficult.</p><p>Gone are the days when teachers - by nature of the very title - commanded respect. They must be given that back. Our society has become one where many parents incontrovertibly defend their children without exploring the problem. Maybe the teacher was unfair; maybe the teacher's behavior was justified. At the very least, parents should withhold judgment until the facts are sorted out.</p><p>The bottom line is that education must become a priority to our state and local leaders, as well as among parents. With everyone working toward the same goal, our education system should become a better place for students to learn and teachers to work. And that will benefit us all.</p>